Friday, March 28, 2008

Why Do 5 Former Secretaries of State Say Close Gitmo?

This just came in from truthout: Former Secretaries of State Colin Powell, Henry A. Kissinger, James A. Baker III, Warren Christopher and Madeleine K. Albright all agreed that Guantanamo should be closed.

James Baker went on to say:

"It gives us a very, very bad name, not just internationally," he said. "I havea great deal of difficulty understanding how we can hold someone, pick someoneup, particularly someone who might be an American citizen - even if they werecaught somewhere abroad, acting against American interests - and hold themwithout ever giving them an opportunity to appear before amagistrate."The former secretaries of State also urged that the U.S. open a line of dialogue with Iran, each saying it was important to maintain contact with adversaries and allies alike.

Iran? And what about Iran? Do you mean we shouldn't take McCain's word and "Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran"?

Baker suggested the dialogue (with Iran) could center on a common dilemma,saying a "dysfunctional Iraq, a chaotic Iraq, is not something that's in theinterest to Iran. There's every incentive on their part to help us, the same waythey did in Afghanistan."Kissinger urged an open - if delicate - line of communication withIran. "One has to talk with adversaries," said Kissinger, who served the Nixon and Ford administrations.

Didn't think the old guy had it in him. Does that mean talk to .... terrorists, too? They are "adversaries", so "one has to talk" with them. So where were they when Gitmo was put in place as Our Torture Chamber?